Air Health Our Health

Natural disasters such as wildfires can provoke a great deal of anxiety about immediate and long term risk, so I wanted to have someone on whose job it is to think only of the worst case scenarios and how we can navigate them. Nobody better for the job than an ER doctor! For this episode, I talk to Mary C. Meyer, MD MPH, an emergency medicine physician with The Permanente Medical Group and an expert in climate medicine who has served as director of disaster preparedness for Kaiser in Northern California as well as in global health disaster deployments, including Haiti, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Jamaica, and St. Lucia. We talk disaster management and unexpected risks from wildfires, including a potential fungus among us. To Do-Harden your home- learn how to keep your home safe(r) from wildfiresLearn about controlled burns and more wildfire safety from the “Fighting Fire with Fire” episode with Native American Wildland Firefighter Bodie Shaw. Learn more about health impacts of wildfires and what you can do in the “Our Health in Wildfire Season” episode Sign up for emergency alerts in your communityFind out if where you work has a Disaster Plan or has done a Hazard Vulnerability AssessmentHave Go Bags ready during times of high wildfire risk or in generalMake plans with your family and loved ones for emergencies, including meeting points, shelter areas, evacuation routes and moreDo something small once per week to tackle climate change and help decrease the impact of climate-fueled disasters. None of us have to do everything, but we can all do something. Listen to the “Clean AIr and Climate Action for Busy People” episode to get startedEpisode Photo by Malachi Brooks on Unsplash

If you use healthcare or live on Planet Earth, you want a comprehensive ban on flavored tobacco products. This podcast is a helpful summary of all the issues wrapped up in flavored tobacco, e-cigarettes and the human, environmental and economic damages of the tobacco industry. Statewide and comprehensive flavored tobacco bans that include menthol, cigars, e-cigarettes and more are simple and potent steps we can all take in our states to protect our kids and environment. Rather than having to listen to 5 different podcasts to get up to speed, this one will catch you up on all the major issues in a tight 20 minutes, so you can be on your way to understanding why this issue matters to you and why it should matter to everyone!I cover tobacco and vaping a great deal on this podcast because tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death, disease and disability in the United States. Anything we can do to decrease its harms improves the health, lives and economy for all of us! I also go through many of the common objections and “whaddabouts” that come up with this concern. Please share this episode!To Do:- If you live in Oregon, contact your State Senator and Representative to ask them to pass a comprehensive flavored tobacco ban.- Post on social media and consider writing an Op-Ed about why you support a ban on flavored nicotine products. - Find out if there is a flavor ban being considered in your county or state, and do what you can to support it. - Learn more about how you or a loved one can break free of the nicotine habit here.- If you are between 50 and 80 years old and currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years, go to SavedByTheScan.org to find out about whether you should consider lung cancer screening.- Share this episode and post with friends and family and anyone whom you think might be interested. To Learn More- Prior podcast episodes for deep dives on each topic include:A Heartbreaking Trap- episode with a youth pastor who worked for Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids about hx of menthol and other flavored tobacco products, particularly targeted at the Black community. The Route Makes the Poison- Inhaling Flavors with Prof Ilona Jaspers- about difference between eating and inhaling flavoring chemicals.Not Kool- Menthol and Lung Numbing with Prof Svent Jordt- about particular dangers of menthol and numbing products to the lungs, Do the Vape Talk- episode for parents and teachers about talking to kids in their lives about e-cigs and vaping with expertise from American Lung AssociationLearn more about health effects of e-cigarettes in the podcast episode “Gambling with Your Lungs”  A County vs Big Tobacco- Fighting Flavors and Protecting Kids- episode about one of these county level battles from a few years ago that passed and with the current State Senator sponsoring the bill.  If your state or county doesn’t have tobacco retail licensing, that is a vital step in knowing what is going on! Listen to the A Teen Talks Vaping episode to learn more. Teens Tackle Tobacco- Butts, E-cigs, Schools and more- with 2 members of Sierra Club youth tobacco project Climate Change, Microplastics and Fires- the EcoToll of Tobacco with the Sierra Club-  more on environmental toll of tobaccoImage of my kids with flavored tobacco products at their eye level at a gas station

Dr Anthony Gerber is a pulmonary and critical care medicine physician at National Jewish Health, where he conducts research on lung disease. He is also a professor of medicine at the University of Colorado and National Jewish and has has served on the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission. He provides insight into actions we can take in our own communities. Look up who represents you at your city, county and state level Find out how air is regulated in your state and what the most local unit to you is. Reach out to find out what they are doing to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases and find out how you can lend your voice to advocate for this and potentially push for even more action Find out if your state adheres to the California vehicle standards- if it doesn’t, push your legislators to join. Tell them how you want to stimulate the economy by everyone saving money on fuel and how you want to breathe cleaner air Look up the State of the Air report from the American Lung Association to find out how your city or county scores in terms of pollution. It helps to have information when you go to local decision makers Every time someone declares for office, whether city, council or local government to represent you, reach out. Ask them what local action they envision to clean up the air and reduce greenhouse gases Find out how building codes are made in your city or county- ask what they are doing to make them more efficient while not increasing the cost of housing. Volunteer with weatherization efforts Gas Powered Lawn equipment are a hyper local source of noise and pollution - learn more at the “Yards on Fire” episode for what you can do Everyone hates sitting in traffic- find out how transportation policy is made where you are and push for options to decrease emissions, whether by getting more people out of cars and onto bikes, feet or public transportation, etc Share this episode with anyone interested in what they can do locally for healthy air and climate change. Please also consider leaving the podcast a 5 star review wherever you listen so more people discover it.  Finally, consider a donation to the American Lung Association, which works locally for clean air and climate action. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit blog post for more information, or go to airhealthourhealth.org. Follow and comment on Facebook page and Instagram. Episode photo by ⁠Sven Brandsma⁠ on ⁠Unsplash

Happy New Year from Air Health Our Health! I share a brief reflection on the difference between knowledge and wisdom as well as how to move forward in 2025. To Do-  Pick an area for clean air, climate or tobacco action in the next year Flavored e-cigs, Tobacco Pollution & More? Listen to Sierra Club episodes, Season Three episodes w/ Dr. Jaspers and Dr. Jordt, and Season Two Heartbreaking Trap episode and more! Find out whether old diesel school engines have been cleaned up, and if not, advocate for that in your area. Listen to School Bus episode for more information! Plant trees! Learn about benefit with “Tree Lined vs Red Lined” episode from Season One Increase EV infrastructure - learn about health benefits in “Road to Clean Air” episode  There are many episodes on how to just get started- if you want inspiration, listen to the Clean Air and Climate Action for Busy People  or the Your Little Grain of Sand episode from Season Four. Make sure you are breathing healthy air in your own home!  Learn about: Radon- many episodes Gas appliances- “Fire Inside” Episode Stop smoking and vaping indoors and in general- ALA can help! Consider a donation to the American Lung Association, which does so much in the fight for clean air, climate action and tobacco control.  Finally, if you are so inspired, please leave the podcast a 5 star review wherever you get your podcasts and share an episode with a friend. Spread the word! Tomato Photo by Davies Designs Studio on Unsplash

Happy Holidays! Today I am joined by Katie Zakrzewski, who labels herself as a devout Catholic from a Polish family. Originally a self- described climate denier from a low-income and rural area,  she has gone on quite the journey and now works for Catholic Climate Covenant. This season of Advent seemed the perfect time to release a conversation with her. Over 80% of the people on this planet adhere to a religious or spiritual tradition which often also includes belief in the importance of caring for the world around them. Many people of faith find no conflict between their embrace of the scientific method to learn more about our world and health, but there are many who are either indifferent to the latest scientific studies or skeptical of members of the scientific establishment and even such labels as “environmentalist.”  The need for climate action is urgent, and at the same time these divisions can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, the faith traditions of our world provide a rich opportunity for people to come together across national and political divides to work toward the care of our common home.  1- If you are a member of a particular faith or religious tradition, there are likely organizations within it advocating for clean air and climate action. If you have not already, learn about those resources at the post for this page at airhealthourhealth.org/faith. 2- Work together - maybe you can help organize renewable energy for your sanctuary or a community environmental event.  3- Raise your voices together- maybe there is an important local action your town, county or state can take to make your environment healthier. Consider organizing a group from your faith community to testify or write a letter to the editor on why action on this issue is important.  4- Be open- there are many different religious traditions and many who belong to no religious tradition or who have left their religious tradition for very good reasons. I believe most people share a common faith that the Earth is a sacred trust for which we have a responsibility to care. If we keep ourselves open to others, we will find places for shared action.  5- Consider a donation to a faith-based organization working for climate action, such as Catholic Climate Covenant, included in this podcast.  Please consider leaving this podcast a 5 star review to help other people find it! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit blog post for more information, or go to airhealthourhealth.org. Follow and comment on Facebook page and Instagram.  Record a question or comment on the podcast site or send an e-mail via the website. 

This episode may sound different than your regular Air Health Our Health podcast. It is the first episode recorded with a live audience. This was done at the American College of Chest Physicians Conference, also known as Chest.  I was delighted to be able to interview Dr. Mary Rice MD, MPH of Harvard University, a person who has incorporated combatting the effects of climate change deeply into her career as a physician and scientist.  We cover a great deal in this episode, from how to get started in your workplace, perils and pitfalls of advocacy, her experience at COP 28, and much more! To Do- 1- Listen to the Clean Air and Climate Advocacy for Busy People episode for ideas on how to get started wherever you are.  2- Scroll the Air Health Our Health podcast feed for climate and clean air concerns that speak to you, and seek out local community efforts to help.  3- If you work in healthcare, learn more about reducing greenhouse gasses from organizations such as Healthcare without Harm.  See References for additional options. 4- If you don’t work in healthcare, these issues also affect you. There are definitely ways to make your workplace more climate friendly. Seek out those in your industry who are already doing this and take it to your own workplace. It can be hard to get started, but we can all start by starting. Hopefully every industry will be providing roadmaps to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 5- I am so grateful to the American College of Chest Physicians for providing a form to record this podcast with a live audience. Please consider a donation to the Chest Foundation, which supports everything from research to community partnerships and helping the next generation of clinicians. 6- Please consider leaving this podcast a 5 star review wherever you listen to podcasts. I’ve been bad about asking for that, but the podcast experts say it helps people discover the podcast. Also consider sharing an episode with a friend to spread the word about the importance of cleaning up the air and combating climate change.

I first heard about burn pits from veterans when I was a pulmonary fellow at the Portland, VA. Our active duty military are often exposed to hazards when deployed, and the damage can be lifelong. Today I am joined by Captain Le Roy Torres and his wife Rosie Torres, the founders of of Burn Pits 360. They share their experience and journey through its ups and downs, from Balad, Iraq to the emergency room to the operating room to camping on the steps of the Capitol with Jon Stewart.  What Can You Do? Look up your Senator and Representative and tell them that you are someone who wants to ensure that our soldiers and veterans receive the healthcare they need both during and after their service. Ask them what they are doing about clean air for all. November 11th is Veteran’s Day. Make sure you thank a veteran for their service. Depending on when you listen to this, there may be an election coming up. Be sure to vote for those who will support strong environmental and respiratory protections for our veterans as well as all of our communities.  Go to BurnPits360.org if this issue speaks to you or you want to learn more, including seeing the resources that they have put together, like those mentioned in this podcast. If you work in healthcare, educate yourself about how people may be affected and be sure to ask if your patients have a history of military service. See the show post for some resources. Consider a donation to BurnPits360 to help other veterans and their families. *Finally, consider leaving this podcast a 5 star review wherever you listen. It will help other people discover the podcast and learn about the importance of clean air for all! Episode art courtesy of Burn Pits 360 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit airhealthourhealth.org/burnpitsvets for more information. Follow and comment on Facebook page and Instagram. 

We are going back to school! We kick off Season Five today by talking to teens about tobacco pollution, smoking and e-cig use. Keshav Narang is an 18 y.o. High school senior and Finn Ceja is a 19 year old college student. They both join me today as youth advisors to the Environmental Justice in Tobacco Control Project of the Sierra Club.  Their generation cares passionately about the health of their peers as well as environmental justice. To be blunt, this pod gave me hope that the kids are all right. Listen and learn! To Do: Flavored tobacco products are designed to hook young people like Keshav and Finn, as well as kids even younger, the age of my daughters. Fight flavored tobacco where you are- if there is a flavor ban being considered at the state and local level, get involved! For example, several Oregon counties have passed a flavor ban, and I’m hoping we will get a statewide ban passed this year. Listen to the prior podcast episodes on flavored tobacco to learn more.  Learn more by going to the Sierra Club's StopToxicTobaccoWaste.org . If you go to their policy tabs page, you can see a host of ideas on how to decrease the toll of tobacco pollution in your area Advocate for a ban on selling cigarettes with cigarette butts. They are a plastic that don’t make cigarettes safer for the user, and they increase microplastics likely in the body of the smoker and certainly in our environment.  Consider a donation to the Sierra Club, to support the work they do in helping the environment in all ways, including keeping it free from tobacco waste. Ep art from Alexandra Morozova on Unsplash

Tobacco control and climate advocacy collide in today’s episode, just as we are all getting ready to head into summer fun in the Great Outdoors! Sadly, the tobacco industry is spoiling our summer fun in many ways. Today I am joined by Amanda Simpson , who is a policy analyst with the Environmental Justice in Tobacco Control Project of the Sierra Club to help us understand the issue.  From causing wildfires to worsening climate change to microplastics in our waters, on today’s episode you will learn what is happening and what you can do!  To Do: Learn more by going to the Sierra Clubs StopToxicTobaccoWaste.org . If you go to their policy tabs page, you can see a host of ideas on how to decrease the toll of tobacco pollution in your area With Wildfire season coming, consider actions on e-cig safety. For example, ensure devices sold in your area  meet Underwriter Laboratories (UL) Standard 8139 at a minimum, which promotes lithium-ion battery safety. Ensure that your state HAS a tobacco retail license program, and make sure it includes safe disposal of e-cigarettes Advocate for a ban on disposable electronic inhalation systems.Reuse don’t dispose. Advocate for a ban on selling cigarettes with cigarette butts. They are a plastic that don’t make cigarettes safer for the user, and they increase microplastics likely in the body of the smoker and certainly in our environment.  Consider a donation to the Sierra Club, to support the work they do in helping the environment in all ways, including keeping it free from tobacco waste. Bird image from Sierra Club Environmental Justice in Tobacco Control Project ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit blog post for more information, or go to airhealthourhealth.org. Follow and comment on Facebook page and Instagram.  Record a question or comment on the podcast site or send an e-mail via the website.

On today’s podcast, I am joined by Ylenia Aguilar of Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres to share her own story from undocumented immigrant to tireless advocate for clean air and climate action. She shares important approaches to accepting our own imperfections, navigating important work while we are busy, and the joy we can all feel by adding our own “granito de arena” or grain of sand to tip the scale for a better climate future. 1- If you’re inspired to get involved, listen to the “Clean Air and Climate Advocacy for Busy People” episode from earlier this season.  2- To learn more about the new PM2.5 standard and to see a great picture of Mom’s Clean Air Force and EcoMadres with the EPA Administrator, check out the “Bonus Episode! Good News for Clean Air!” from February of this year.  3- To learn more about the importance of cleaning up school buses, listen to the “Healthy Buses = Health & Smart Kids” episode from Season One of the podcast.  4- Consider joining a local Moms Clean Air Force or EcoMadres chapter, or consider a donation to keep supporting the work of Ylenia and others like her. 5- Finally, consider leaving this podcast a 5 star review wherever you listen. I am told it helps others find the podcast.